Modular network interface device

• US 6,078,661 A
• Filed: 09/29/1997
• Issued: 06/20/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CommScope Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Pawlenko, Ivan, Kerr, David Stevens, Helmstetter, Christopher M., Arnett, Jaime Ray, Kluska, Theodore Edward, Reed, David Louis, Tancreto, Anthony Robert, Spitz, William Tracy
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, Forester W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PENDLETON, BRIAN T
• Application Number:
  US08/939,330
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 379/399, 379/413, 379/412
• US Class Current: 379/413.04
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/00 Current supply arrangements for telephone systems for selecting-equipment H04Q1/28

Abstract

A network interface device includes a base, a cover and a circuit board secured in the base. The circuit board includes terminations for input and output communication lines. Each pair of input and output communication lines corresponds to a single standard telephone line, a high speed data line or other type of line. The communication line terminations may be implemented as insulation displacement connectors, and the cover may include projections on its inner surface such that closing the cover also closes the insulation displacement connectors on the circuit board. For each communication line, the circuit board may include a subscriber bridge which establishes a breakable connection between the input and output line terminations via traces in the circuit board. In fixed wireless, fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and other similar applications, the circuit board may also include terminations for input and output power lines, and the base and cover may be extended to accommodate an uninterruptible power supply. The power supply supplies the input power line to the corresponding termination on the circuit board, and the output power line is supplied to a power input of a remote unit in a fixed wireless system or other electronic unit external to the network interface device. The circuit board may also include power protection circuitry for protecting against surges on the input and output communication and power lines.

Claims

1. A network interface device, comprising:

a base;

a cover attached to the base; and

a first module secured within the base, the first module including terminations for at least one input communication line and at least one output communication line, wherein the base is configured to support at least one additional module in an area adjacent the first module, and further wherein at least one of the first and additional modules includes terminations for at least one input power line and at least one output power line.

2. The network interface device of claim 1 wherein the first module and the at least one additional module are implemented as circuit boards.

3. The network interface device of claim 1 wherein the first module and the at least one additional module are implemented as lead frame modules.

4. The network interface device of claim 1 wherein the first module is associated with a communication line of a first type, and the additional module is associated with a communication line of a second type.

5. The network interface device of claim 1 wherein the base is configured to support the first module and a plurality of additional modules, and each module corresponds to a different communication line.

6. The network interface device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the communication line terminations of the first module are implemented as insulation displacement connecting devices.

7. The network interface device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the communication line terminations of the first module are implemented as binding post contacts.

8. The network interface device of claim 1 wherein the first module includes a subscriber bridge comprising a communication line jack and a corresponding communication line plug connected between the input line termination and output line termination, such that inserting the plug in the jack establishes a connection through the first module between the input line termination and the output line termination.

9. The network interface device of claim 1 wherein the first module includes a subscriber bridge comprising a self-disconnecting jack.

10. The network interface device of claim 1 wherein an extension of the base at least partially defines a compartment for holding a power supply.

11. The network interface device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the power line terminations of the first module are implemented as insulation displacement connecting devices.

12. The network interface device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the power line terminations of the first module are implemented as binding post contacts.

13. The network interface device of claim 1 wherein the first module further includes power protection circuitry for the input and output power lines.

14. A network interface device, comprising:

a base;

a cover attached to the base; and

a first module secured within the base, the first module including terminations for at least one input communication line and at least one output communication line, wherein the base is configured to support at least one additional module in an area adjacent the first module, and further wherein the first module is associated with a communication line of a first type, and the additional module is associated with a communication line of a second type, wherein at least one of the first type and the second type corresponds to a non-telephonic type of communication line.

15. A network interface device, comprising:

a base;

a cover attached to the base; and

a first module secured within the base, the first module including terminations for at least one input communication line and at least one output communication line, wherein the base is configured to support at least one additional module in an area adjacent the first module, with at least one of the modules further including;

(i) at least one termination for a power line separate from the input and output communication lines, and (ii) power protection circuitry for the corresponding power line.